Ministry is Generational. We cannot forget this. EVER.

Last week I attended the visitation for a friend that I wish I would have gotten to know more before Alzheimers did the awful things that it does to a person over the process of many years. I can tell you that he served others, and he served his church for the long haul. Over the last six years, I’ve gotten to know many members of his family, and I can see the generational impact. He served as a Sunday School teacher for 52 years. When I read that in the obituary, I thanked God that he allowed him to serve in one church for that length of time.

Whether you are teaching children or adults, you are still impacting multiple generations if you teach for 52 years. This impact was not limited to church, but also made an impact at home. In the almost six years I served as a youth pastor in Indiana, at least one of this mans sons was following in his steps and serving our church as a deacon at any given time. All three have taught Sunday School classes or small groups. They have served on various committees, their wives have taught and served our church, and been part of missions teams sent out of our church. This one man’s impact does not stop there.

The point is this: Do you want your children to serve in their local church when they are adults? What about your grandkids? If the answer to those questions is yes, a good way to help that happen would be for you as a parent to serve in ministry now. This parental foundation is what holds the context to the “shema” or Deuteronomy 6:4-9. It makes a clear distinction that the parent will greatly impact the faith (or lack of) in their children.

I challenge you to start serving in your church. If not for your faith, for that of your children and grandchildren. Even if your kids are young, serve. That gives you time to set a foundation in your family. If your kids are older, or adults, serve. You may impact the families of so many others in your community.